How to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit? It starts with understanding what people are searching for and why.
Among the different types of search intent—navigational, transactional, and informational—informational intent stands out for its ability to drive traffic, boost authority, and keep users engaged.
This type of intent is all about curiosity. People aren’t looking to buy just yet; they’re searching for answers, explanations, and insights.
Think of queries like “how does SEO work,” “what are the benefits of meditation,” or “history of artificial intelligence.” If you can tap into these searches, you’re opening the door to more visitors, higher rankings, and stronger credibility.
So, how do you spot these high-value queries? That’s exactly what this GetFound article is about—diving into the best tools, strategies, and techniques to help you uncover and leverage informational searches for better SEO results.
Let’s get into it!
1. Understanding Informational Intent in SEO
Before diving into how to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit, it’s essential to understand what informational intent is and how it differs from other search intents.
Types of Search Intent
- Navigational Intent
The user searches for a specific website or brand.
- Transactional Intent
The user intends to buy a product or service.
- Informational Intent
The user seeks knowledge or research-based information.
Since informational intent queries focus on education and research, identifying them correctly helps businesses create valuable, engaging, and high-ranking content.
2. Using Keyword Research Tools to Identify Informational Intent
One of the best ways to learn how to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit is by using keyword research tools.
These tools help uncover high-traffic, low-competition informational queries that users are actively searching for.
Best Tools for Identifying Informational Intent Keywords:
- Google Keyword Planner
Provides search volume and competition level for keywords.
- Ahrefs Keywords Explorer
Helps filter question-based searches related to any topic.
- SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool
Shows keyword intent, difficulty, and search trends.
- AnswerThePublic
Generates a list of commonly searched questions related to a keyword.
Steps to Identify Informational Queries Using Keyword Tools:
- Enter a broad topic in a keyword research tool.
- Filter results to show only question-based keywords.
- Look for high-search-volume, low-competition keywords to target.
- Identify variations of the query that match informational search intent.
For example, if researching “link building”, informational queries might include:
- “What is link building in SEO?”
- “How to do link building for beginners?”
- “Why is link building important?”
By leveraging SEO tools, businesses can find high-value informational intent queries to target in their content strategy.
3. Analyzing Google’s People Also Ask (PAA) Section
Another effective technique in how to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit is using Google’s People Also Ask (PAA) feature to discover real user queries.
Why People Also Ask is Useful:
- Shows real user-generated questions, offering insights into commonly searched informational queries.
- Expanding PAA questions reveals additional related queries.
- Helps identify trending and high-traffic informational topics.
How to Use People Also Ask to Find Informational Queries:
- Search for a general topic on Google.
- Look at the People Also Ask section for commonly asked questions.
- Click on multiple PAA questions to generate even more related questions.
- Analyze recurring themes to determine valuable informational search queries.
For example, searching “keyword research techniques” may reveal PAA questions like:
- “What is keyword research?”
- “How does keyword difficulty affect SEO?”
- “Why is keyword intent important?”
By analyzing the PAA section, businesses can identify informational intent topics that align with their SEO strategy.
Also Read: What Does Noindex Tag Actually Contribute to Your Site’s Performance?
4. Using Google Autocomplete and Related Searches
Google’s Autocomplete and Related Searches features provide real-time insights into popular informational queries.
How to Use Google Autocomplete for Informational Queries:
- Start typing a broad keyword in Google’s search bar.
- Look at Google’s autocomplete suggestions, which reflect frequently searched queries.
- Identify question-based searches that indicate informational intent.
For example, typing “content marketing” may show:
- “What is content marketing?”
- “How to create a content marketing strategy?”
- “Why is content marketing important?”
Similarly, Google’s Related Searches at the bottom of search results can provide additional informational keyword ideas.
5. Checking Forums, Q&A Websites, and Social Media
Another key step in how to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit is analyzing user-generated content on forums, Q&A sites, and social media platforms.
Best Platforms to Find Informational Queries:
- Quora & Stack Exchange
Users ask real-world questions that businesses can address through content.
- Industry-Specific Forums
Look for frequently asked questions in niche communities.
- Social Media Comments
Analyze common queries from Facebook groups, LinkedIn discussions, or Twitter/X threads.
For example, a tech blog researching artificial intelligence might find these informational queries on forums:
- “What are the different types of AI?” (Quora)
- “How does machine learning work?” (Stack Exchange)
By monitoring real-world discussions, businesses can identify informational intent queries that resonate with their target audience.
6. Analyzing Competitor Content for Informational Intent
Competitor analysis is another essential step in how to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit. By reviewing high-ranking content from competitors, businesses can identify popular informational topics to target.
How to Analyze Competitor Content:
- Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to check competitors’ top-performing blog posts.
- Identify recurring informational keywords in their content.
- Analyze FAQ sections on competitor websites for common user queries.
For example, if a competitor ranks for “How to write SEO-friendly content”, businesses can create a more detailed, optimized version to outrank them.
By understanding competitor strategies, businesses can discover valuable informational queries to integrate into their SEO efforts.
Need SEO Help? GetFound Is Here to Guide You!
How to identify informational intent for the SEO benefit? To sum it up, it’s about knowing where to look! Using SEO tools, keeping an eye on search trends, checking out Google’s features, and paying attention to what people are asking online can give you an edge.
Start with keyword research tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush to find high-traffic informational queries. Google’s People Also Ask section is another goldmine for spotting trending topics.
Autocomplete and Related Searches? Perfect for uncovering what people are curious about. Don’t forget to check forums, Quora, and social media—real users, real questions. And of course, studying competitor content can help you find gaps to fill with your own content.
Nail this process, and you’ll be crafting SEO-friendly content that pulls in traffic and boosts your visibility. Stuck on SEO challenges? GetFound is here to help—just ask!
